The ancient city of Ilesa, a prominent and dominant city of Osun State, was on Friday 24 May played host to eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar Namadi Sambo, Chief Olabode George and the governor of Osun State Ademola Adeleke at the official coronation of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, Ajimoko III, as the new Owa Obokun and paramount ruler of Ijesaland.
The who is who in the social, political and economic circles in thr country did not miss out at event, held at the Ilesa Town Hall and Palace Square.
A large crowd over filled the arena with prominent traditional rulers, together with the Ijesa sons and daughters,gave the event spectacular royal and cultural touch.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, handed over the staff of office to Oba Haastrup, describing the ceremony as “a reaffirmation of centuries of tradition, wisdom, and dignity that define the soul of Ijesaland.”
He charged the new monarch to serve as a unifying figure for the Ijesa people and to continue preserving the rich Yoruba heritage.
“Our nation yearns for peace, equity, and progress, and traditional rulers like yourself have a vital role to play in achieving this vision,” Oyetola said.
He also announced President Tinubu’s directive for the release of intervention funds to rehabilitate the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa expressway, a key economic artery in the region.
Addressing the coronation ceremony at the Owa palace, Governor Adeleke who described the new monarch as an iconic Nigerian and one of Ijesa finest leader started by remembering the late Owa Adimula, Dr Adekunle Aromolaran.
“I will start by paying glowing tribute to the memory of the late Owa Obokun, Dr Adekunle Aromolaran. The late Monarch was a father figure, a top scholar and a sound businessman. Late Owa is the builder of modern Ijesha land.
“The successor of the late Owa, the new Owa Adimula is a gentleman with loyalty and patriotism as his trademarks.
“As the Deputy Governor to my late brother, the first Executive Governor of Osun State, late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, our new Owa Adimula demonstrated absolute loyalty and supportive backing.
“As a businessman, he climbed to the top of the ladder in his sector, making him one of the most successful business executives in Nigeria.
“Our new monarch, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup is a socialite with public interest at heart, a philanthropist with a big impact on the society and a leader with a truly large heart”, the Governor noted.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to the overall development of Ijesaland, listing several milestones already attained.
“In line with our promise, Ilesa is now a university town. Over 50 courses are already accredited. We are building all necessary internal infrastructure within the university. The university management is building a credible global institution under the direction of our administration.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the announcement on the award of the contract for the re-construction of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa road
“I am glad to announce that the General Hospital, Ilesa has been approved as the Teaching Hospital for the University of Ilesa. This will boost Ilesa as a centre of medical excellence.
“We are focussed on the upgrading of Ilesa to a modern city. Hence, we are almost completing the over 12 kilometers Ereja Square-Brewery-Express dual carriageway. This landmark project for the first time is opening up Ilesa for business and pleasure.
“In the mining sector for which Ijesaland is heavily affected, our administration is implementing far reaching mining reforms. We are tackling illegal mining and combating environmental degradation.
“I am happy to inform Osun people and Ijesaland in particular that Osun is officially a shareholder of Thor Exploration firm, the owner of Segilola Gold Project. We are ensuring maximum gains to the state from our natural resources”, he narrated.
Governor Adeleke assured the royal father that his administration is open to further Public Private Partnership in all areas, “we are ready to collaborate with the new monarch for the development of lIjesaland.
“As we are developing Ijesaland, we are repeating similar feats at Ifeland, Osogboland, Iwoland, Igbomina land and Edeland. Our government is spreading development to all corners of Osun state including Iragbijiland”, the told the crowd of dignitaries.
He described the decision as a timely action by Mr President as the bad state of the road is badly affecting the economy of Osun and adjacent states.
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As early as 8.00a.m,
residents of the town trooped out in different attires heading to the venue of the coronation ceremony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent who was in the town to cover the event reports that there was heavy vehicular movement in the town.
Security agencies were also seen at strategic locations, while officials of Federal Road Safety Corps were directing the traffic.
Dignitaries at the venue include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke, former governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Gboyega Oyetola, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; The Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Chief Deji Adeleke, among others.
School pupils were also seen waving flags, with scores of residents at the front of the palace waiting anxiously for the commencement of the coronation ceremony.
Hastruup, a former deputy governor in the state, was selected as the 41st Owa-Obokun on Dec. 27, 2024 succeeding late Oba Gabriel Aromomilaran.
Hastruup, from the Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, emerged as the Owa-elect during a selection process conducted by kingmakers at the Ilesa West Local Government Secretariat.
NAN also reports that an Osun State High Court in Ilesa on Thursday refused to stop the coronation of Haastrup.
Justice M. Agboola, during the proceedings on the case filed by the Arimoro family of Bilaro Oluodo Ruling House, held that until the issues around the service of the court process on the first respondent, Haastrup, is sorted, the application stopping the coronation cannot proceed. (NAN
